The Sprout
First pop-up café of the summer!
The newsletter for North Hinksey & Botley
Issue 139 Summer 2019
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The Sprout
Issue 139, July 2019
Contents
3 WWCC latest
7 Arthur Howse
9 Botley Corridor
13 Exotic Thai festival
15 Flood Scheme
17 Good news for Branches
19 Cricket Scores
25 Botley Art Exhibition
27 Brownie Adventures
29 Summer at the Library
31 Police news
33 Life’s a Song
35 Planning Apps
37 Universal Credit scam
39 Randoms
43 Local Organizations
From the Editor,
Having whetted your appetite for cricket, it would have been a shame not
to have brought you up to date with the exciting goings-on at Cumnor
Cricket Club (p19). Although this is not strictly in Botley, it is the local
place to go, if cricket is your sport. If reading is your child’s thing, then
the Library has a whole summer programme (p29), and if you like to sing,
page 33 is for you. There are planning proposals in the air that will affect
us all, so we have reported on the plans for the Botley Corridor (p9),
which look at ways of making the Botley Road more bike and bus
friendly, WWCC brings you up to date with shopping centre
developments (p3), and there is a fierce critique of the proposed Flood
Alleviation Scheme (p15) from the campaign which has now been
established to oppose it. For our young readers there are the Brownies
(p27) and Branches (p37), and for longer term residents of Botley, there’s
a tribute to Arthur Howse (p7) who was for many years a trustee of Elms
Parade. The Sunday pop-up cafés are back in business up at the Pavilion,
and our cover photo shows the first one of the season, with Botley
people relaxing in a truly British spirit under a menacing sky! Also on a
Sunday, the Sprout AGM on 7th July. This year it will be at Branches
Café, so please come and tell us what you’d like to find in your favourite
local newsletter. Ag MacKeith
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West Way Community Concern – Summer 2019
Arthur Howse: We are sorry to report that Arthur Howse, one of
the owners of Elms Parade, passed away on 26th May at the age of 81.
Arthur was instrumental in building community resolve to defend Botley
centre against the plans of developers and the Vale District Council.
Arthur’s presentations on the history of Elms Parade, and the
commitment of all the Howse family, led to the wider determination to
preserve it not just as an historic building with its varied businesses, but
also as the focus for our community. The Howse family very kindly
allowed West Way Community Concern to use the retail unit 5 Elms
Parade (now occupied by Mobile Genie) for two years as the base for
WWCC’s campaign.
Construction progress: Construction is proceeding, as we can all see.
As we expected it is overwhelmingly BIG. The constructors SDC keep
the community up to date in their newsletters and via the Community
Liaison Group. Parking around the site has reduced, with the 25 spaces
behind Elms Parade no longer available as construction of Block E has
commenced. A new car park has been created with access off Arthray
Road. SDC expect the lower deck of the new permanent car park in to
be available from August 2020.
Planning Consents: A planning application for minor changes to Block
E has been approved. This consent reiterates the requirement that
there has to be a permanently installed physical barrier between the
‘Authorised vehicles only’ access from West Way and the eastern end
of the car parking in front of Elms Parade, to prevent cars passing onto
the service access route. It also says that ‘notwithstanding any details
shown on the approved drawings’, full details of cycle parking need to
be submitted and approved.
The landscaping plans have been approved. The Equalities Officer of
the Vale commented at length on the issues which these plans
presented to blind and partially sighted people and to those with limited
mobility. It is not clear that these concerns have been addressed. Other
conditions which were required to be satisfied before construction
above ground floor level have mostly been discharged.
Comments from Crime Prevention Design Advisor: The Crime
Prevention Design Advisor for Thames Valley Police submitted a
comment on the planning application for the latest changes to the
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residential Block E (planning ref P19/V0416/FUL). He comments that
inadequate attention given to crime prevention in the design of the
building increases the potential for crime and anti-social behaviour in
residential blocks, quoting the National Planning Policy Framework that
‘Planning policies and decisions should ensure that developments…
create places that are safe, inclusive and accessible and where
crime and disorder, and the fear of crime, do not undermine the quality
of life or community cohesion and resilience’. He makes
recommendations with respect to entry control, post and deliveries,
cycle storage, lighting and CCTV in the building.
Considerable concerns exist about the arrangements for student
accommodation buildings (Blocks B, C, and D) which are to house 262
students. In our view, the design of the student blocks fails to meet
expectations in terms of the measures needed to ensure the safety,
security and well-being of young people and their property, particularly
cycles. There is no provision for 24/7 staffing on reception, making anti-
social behaviour, tailgating, thefts and burglaries more likely. There is
no secure storage for cycles, with cycle stands being in the lower deck
of the public two-deck car-park, which will also serve the Premier Inn.
A reputation for petty crime in the area would not only impact on the
students, but also lead to a fear of crime for all Botley residents and
users of the centre.
We have been assured by the Advisor that he will review the
arrangements in all the blocks. Mace’s representative has also
confirmed that they will work with the Advisor as they prepare the
required security and management plan for the centre, and we will
continue to follow these issues up at the Community Liaison Group
meetings.
Mary Gill
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Arthur Stephen Howse 1937–2019
It is with great sadness I report the passing on
May 26th of my cousin Arthur Stephen Howse,
the eldest son of Arthur Raymond Howse and
Constance Betty Howse. Elms Parade was built
by our grandfather in 1937 and it was fitting that
Arthur, who was born in October of that same
year, became a trustee and took charge of
running the estate. He did this with enthusiasm
and devotion for 44 years, and it played a major
role in his life.
At the age of 28 he married Judith Ann and moved from Flat 5 to
Charlbury to be near his Citroen garage in Chadlington, which he ran
until he retired a few years ago. I was, in fact, a bridesmaid at his
wedding and he took great pleasure in telling me on more than one
occasion that it was the last time he saw me in a dress!
Soon Tim and Kate came along, and in due course they married Debbie
and Rick and had five grandchildren between them, namely Rory (14),
Angus (11), Georgia (17), Eddie (15) and Isobel (10). Arthur and Judith
doted on them!
Apart from family, the garage and Elms Parade, Arthur was a great
classic car enthusiast, namely Citroens and Bristols. He spent many
years driving and exhibiting them at various car shows and we shall
miss seeing them parked at the Parade the very many times he was
there. He also leaves a devoted
sister, Lorna Evans, whose son
Steve is also a trustee, and a
brother, Vernon. His other sister
Gill pre deceased him.
The family wish to thank all who
have sent such wonderful
messages and cards of
condolence not only family
and friends, but present and
past tenants as well. The photo
shows him as a young man in
his vintage Citroen.
Caroline Kellner, Trustee of Elms Parade.
Botley Road Corridor Proposals
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What’s it all for? The County Council recognizes that Botley Road is a very
slow route in and out of the city centre, with daily congestion problems and
poor journey experiences for all road users. But it is also a vital public
transport link, as it is the only route from the west, contains Seacourt Park
& Ride, and is used by a high number of cyclists and buses both local and
from further afield. This project is an attempt to improve things specifically
for bus users, cyclists and pedestrians. A 2016 study identified that key
changes were needed to encourage more people to travel by bus and bike
in order to reduce traffic and vehicle emissions and improve air quality. So
the idea is to get us out of our cars and onto buses and bikes. The
consultation ended on 21st June, but you can still see the plans on
http://tiny.cc/xfeh8y
BikeSafe (whose hopes for the Eynsham Bike Path have revived after
some recent initiatives) have submitted these general comments:
1. We need coloured pathways for bikes, both on road and off road to
make it clear to people riding bicycles where it is that they are
supposed to go. It needs to be hard wearing to assure maintenance
departments that they will not face increased costs.
2. There must be plenty of bike logos on the ground, so that pedestrians
can see where it is safe to walk.
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3. Cycling momentum needs to be maintained. All parts of the bicycle
pathways should be tested for maintenance of momentum. Failure to
keep bicycles moving will cause their riders to take other pathways.
4. Less confident cyclists, should feel safe. A good test of the quality of
bike path design is to ask if it’s negotiable by 12 year olds and less
confident cyclists. If OCC seriously want to create “modal shift” onto
bikes, they must make sure that cycling infrastructure meets this test.
5. It is not helpful to give priority to buses and cars, and fit in bikes and
pedestrians afterwards.
6. Mixing pedestrians and bus users at bus stops does not work, judging
from the situations which arise presently at the Lamarsh Road bus stop
and the Minns industrial estate bus stops, both of which are shared use
at present, and this needs to be rethought.
Cyclox, the Oxford Cycling Organization, has much to say along the same
lines as BikeSafe. Here are some of their more general comments:
Traffic modelling for reduced private car journeys These plans are being
designed to last decades, and within 10 years we expect to see a big
reduction in private vehicles as we move away from single occupant
journeys in private cars Yet these plans assume no reduction in traffic flow.
We strongly urge that plans should take into account the potential of closing
the city centre with the traffic control points included in the Oxford Transport
Strategy, as this will markedly reduce traffic flow along the main arterial
roads into and out of town.
They would like to see Traffic speed 20mph along whole length” but at
least from Bulstake Bridge eastwards. (Although those of us who live here
note that there are already six sets of traffic lights, three of them pedestrian
controlled, between the A34 bridge and Osney bridge. )
They are glad that space has been reallocated, and “would like to see the
carriageway width minimised across the whole of the area. Sometimes it is
3.75m and sometime 3.25. We would suggest that the width should be 3.25
everywhere so that space for cycling and walking can be maximised.”
Side road entry treatments Junctions with a wide splay are much more
dangerous for people on bikes, and where possible they should be
tightened. This is especially true of the Eynsham Rd junction at the foot of
Cumnor Hill.
There are some aspects that will add to the danger to pedestrians, for
instance routing all the lorries into the industrial estates behind Mcdonalds
through that narrow end of North Hinksey Lane. It is to be hoped these will
be rethought. AgM
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Public Meeting: Seacourt Hall Surrender of Lease
Seacourt Hall is scheduled to move to a ew permanent location on
the ground floor of the new community building currently under
construction as part of the redevelopment of West Way centre.
Seacourt Hall Management Committee invites all adult residents of
North Hinksey Parish (aged 18 and over) to attend a Public Meeting:
Date: Thursday 18th JulyTime: 7pm to 7:45pm
Venue: Seacourt Hall (2nd floor aboveCo-op)
to consider and vote on resolution to surrender the current hall
lease, sign the lease for the new community hall currently being
built, and then to move into the new hall once the building is
complete later this year. This public meeting is being held in
accordance with Clause 20 of the current lease and Charity
Commission guidelines.
Resolution : Seacourt Hall Management Committee (hereafter
SHMC) proposes that, upon satisfactory completion of the new
community hall currently being built by the Botley Development
Company (hereafter BDC) as part of the Botley Centre redevelopment
scheme block F, SHMC will carry out the following actions, subject to
approval by the Charity Commission:
1. Request North Hinksey Parish Council (hereafter NHPC) to
surrender the current Seacourt Hall lease between the Vale of
White Horse District Council (the lessor) and NHPC (the lessee) as
signed by representatives of those bodies on the 16th November
1989.
2. Request NHPC to sign a new lease for the new community hall
(as described above) between BDC (the landlord) and NHPC (the
tenant), this premises to subsequently be managed by SHMC for
the benefit of the residents of North Hinksey Parish, acting as a
replacement for the current premises.
3. After completion of the above actions SHMC are to vacate the
current Seacourt Hall premises on a date agreed between SHMC
and BDC, and move into the new community hall (as described
above).
Plans and images of the new hall will be available at the meeting and
more details including all the lease documents, plans and images of the
new hall and community building can be found on the Seacourt Hall
website at: www.seacourthall.org.uk/new-hall
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Exotic Fun in Botley Park
The Thai Festival has taken place in Botley every year since 2102, so it
was high time The Sprout went to have a look. It turns out there’s a
festival circuit for Thai Festivals, just
as there is for music festivals of a
more familiar kind, and many of the
stalls selling exotic vegetables, food
and handicrafts spend the summer on
the festival circuit before their owners
pack up and go off to Thailand for the
winter. Here’s a picture of a spiky fruit
that was on sale. It’s called a Durian,
and it’s famous for smelling horrible
while tasting delicious and being
packed with healthy vitamins.
The festival organizer, Mark Vongsakul, owns the Bankok House
restaurant in Hythe Bridge Street. He said people come from miles
around to get a taste of Thailand, not just from Oxfordshire, although
the county is home to a Thai community of some five or six thousand. A
downpour of heavy rain had somewhat spoiled the fun on Saturday
afternoon, but by Sunday afternoon the festival was in full swing, with
gilded dancers on the stage, and a bouncy castle to die for, as you can
see from the photo.
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Flood Scheme ‘brutalist and inefficient’
Some Sprout readers (among others) have lodged objections to
Compulsory Purchase Orders on their land by the Oxford Flood
Alleviation Scheme. Now we await the announcement of the date of the
Public Enquiry triggered by these objections. It should come this month.
Dr Jonathan Madden, a member of the Hinksey and Osney
Environment Group (www.hinkseyandosney.org), calls the OFAS
scheme “a brutalist and inefficient approach in an environmentally
sensitive part of Oxford that deserves far better treatment in solving an
urgent problem.”
In a recent letter to the Oxford Times Dr Madden argues that Hinksey
Meadow plays an important role in moderating Thames flow in times of
flood and as a place of tranquillity and visual harmony to enjoy: the
Monks’ Causeway and Willow Walk are fields for horses, and footpaths
across fields with wildflowers. Mature trees border the watercourses
that drain the Meadow. These features have come about over centuries,
merging humanity’s intentions and the action of nature. To believe that
an industrial-scale engineering project, which divides Hinksey Meadow
in two and causes destruction, can soon harmonise with its
surroundings is arrogance.
He suggests three alternative plans which we believe offer equal or
better protection than OFAS, whilst preserving Hinksey Meadow:
i) eliminate the channel between Botley and the OAR (Old
Abingdon Road) and retain the rest of OFAS. The pinch
point at OAR would have flow capacity increased into the
Weirs Mill stream.
ii) Construct an enclosed storage area to one side of the
Meadow plain which can advantageously alter the timing of
water level changes.
iii) Run a pair of two-metre diameter buried pipelines along an
8-metre wide trench, and pump water underground from
Seacourt to an outflow below the Old Abingdon Road.
Pipeline flow capacity is greater than for OFAS, and we
estimate the cost at £100m, some £50m less than for the
channel scheme.
Chris Sugden, Convenor, Hinksey and Osney Environment Group
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Good news from Branches!
We are delighted that the value of our work with young people has been
recognised once again. This time by the National Lottery Community
Fund. After a successful application process, we have been granted a
sum which will help support this work through till the end of the year.
Some of this will be used to support our Young Leaders, to branch out
and project manage ‘Branches Bar’ which will be open after-school on
Fridays in Louie Memorial Pavilion on the ‘top field’, where they will
serve shakes, smoothies, drinks, snacks and ices to their young
customers until the end of term. Thanks very much to the Louie
Memorial Pavilion committee for supporting this.
Branches continues to try to operate with minimum impact on the
environment. All our takeaway containers are recyclable or compostable
and we are teaming up with the Oxford Food Bank to avoid food waste
and reduce our food miles. Look out for some seasonal salads and hot
specials as additions to our menu.
We are also looking
forward to welcoming
the National Citizen
Service (NCS) groups
back to Branches in
July and August.
They did some
fantastic work with us
last summer; I
wonder what they’ll
bring this time.
In June our Young
Leaders were
pleased to re-join the
Over- Sixties Lunch Club and help out. They enjoyed the experience,
hearing about Botley’s backstory and would like to arrange some more
regular opportunities to bridge the generations. As ever we would be
delighted to welcome some new team members, to support your
community and youth café as volunteers (minimum age 12, no max!!),
and want to thank all our customers for their continuing support. The
photo shows some of our after-school customers enjoying the vibe!
Dave Goodspeed
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Cricket Scores
World Cup weekend, 7th–9th June
Despite the wet weather on
Friday evening, more than
30 children participated in a
special All Stars session
with a visit from Twinkle the
Star, which was followed
by story reading with local
author Jackie Holderness,
a BBQ, and indoor games
hosted by the senior
cricketers. On Saturday,
several juniors took part as
mascots in a warm up session with the First XI team and held a guard
of honour to welcome them to the ground. There was also a very
successful Cricket World Cup Quiz with prizes including a Miele hoover
and a £50 meat voucher courtesy of local butcher Michael Cain. On
Sunday we hosted the Vale District Kwik Cricket Competition, along with
a bake sale and a pop-up stall with cricket equipment from Uzi Sports.
The weekend was enjoyed by all, young and old, and raised £100 for
our nominated charity Opening Up Cricket who promote mental
wellbeing and suicide prevention through cricket.
Sanjay Mistry, Event Organiser & 3rd XI Captain
Cumnor Bears (Cumnor Cricket Club) are going from strength to
strength, with successes in both the junior and adult sections, on and off
the pitch. Our youngest players (5–8yrs) train on a Friday evening with
our older juniors training on Wednesdays. Our adults train on Tuesday
and Thursday evenings. We have lots
of matches, BBQs and events
planned throughout the summer and
everyone is very welcome to come
along and join in the fun. Find us on
Facebook and other social media for
details, or have a look at our website.
Junior matches are normally played
on Sunday mornings, Monday and
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Thursday evenings. Cumnor is a large and thriving club, and boasts the
reigning Oxfordshire champions in their Kwiks (under 9s) section, as
well as two Under 11
teams and two Under
13s, and Under 15 and
an Under 17.
Our adults play their
matches on Saturday and
Sunday afternoons
First XI Our first team
(photo below) have won
the Oxfordshire final of
the National Village
Knockout cup. Approximately 300 teams enter this competition from all
over England, Scotland and Wales. The final is held at Lords in
September. We are now through to the National heats playing the
winner of the Berkshire group, Binfield.
[You’ll have to go to Cumnor News
for a blow-by-blow account of this
thrilling tournament, but you should
know that a 1964 record was
broken in the first match, by a 1st
wicket stand of 254 between Dylan
Driscoll (106 not out) and vice-
captain James Lee (125 n.o.)
Obviously men to watch!].
In Cherwell league Division 1 the
team sit mid-table having had three
wins and two losses. It is still early
in this competition and our teams
are often stronger in the second
half of the season once our players
are back from their University
studies. Harry Ackland has been
outstanding with the bat, scoring
his first Cherwell league 100 (126
n.o.) against Long Marston.
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Second XI – Our second team are second in Cherwell league Division 5
having won four out of their five games. Our opening batsman, Dylan
Driscoll may only be 13-years old but he already has over 200 runs to
his name in the league, including a stunning 119 against Didcot. He has
been ably supported by the bowlers Jack Miell and Joe Clapton who
have both taken 7 wickets this season as well as having scored over
100 runs each.
Third XI Our third team sit second in Cherwell league Division 9,
having also won four out of their five games. Dan Blakey, the regular
wicket keeper, is a product of our youth development programme. He
scored his first ever Cherwell league 100 against Bledlow Ridge, and
there is lots more of that to come.
SAS (Sunday Afternoon Side) our friendly Sunday afternoon games
are a great way to introduce young players to the longer format and for
those who want to play some different opposition. So far only two
fixtures have been played and both of these were losses. If you used to
play cricket and are looking for a way to get back into the game, these
games are an ideal opportunity. David
Clapton
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Simon Robinson 1965–2018
Photographs and Paintings - a retrospective
Botley Arts Exhibition, St Peter and St Paul Church
14 July 2019 – End September 2019
Opening times: Mon-Sat 10am – 4pm; Sunday 1pm – 4pm
Botley Arts is delighted to introduce Simon Robinson’s photographs and
paintings for their Summer Exhibition at St Peter and St Paul Church.
Simon first became serious about art during a course at Crisis Skylight,
and he went on to complete the
Access to Art and Design
course at Oxford City College
in 2016.
He loved the natural world, and
took inspiration from his
surroundings in West Oxford to
create increasingly abstract
and sometimes surreal images.
He enjoyed working both in
monochrome, especially with
light effects in photography,
and in colour with acrylic
paints.
Simon was just beginning to
explore further inspiration in
wire sculpture when he died
suddenly in February 2018.
The exhibition will be both a
summary of his work and a celebration of the joy he found in creating
art. Charlotte Robinson
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Brownie adventures
We are very proud to tell you that as part of
the programme we recently gave first aid
training to our Brownies and they are now
very competent at putting breathing
casualties into the recovery position, dialling
999 and then handing over the casualty to
the paramedics. They learnt this over two
meetings and can do the recovery position on
girls smaller than themselves as well as
adults much bigger than themselves. We
even have a badge to prove this.
We made sock puppets from odd socks and
oddments of crafting material and then the
girls put on an entertaining puppet show the
following week. We even found time to make
a Father’s Day bookmark which is designed to
be re-discovered lurking in a book when five
or ten years have elapsed.
We are looking forward to a fun woodland day
at Beanwood in the summer and then in
September we will be back to our regular
meetings before we go on our PGL activity
weekend in October.
If you know of a girl aged 7 to 10 who would
like to join us on our Brownie adventure then
please contact us at
2ndbotleybrownies@outlook.com.
Lucy Howes
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SPROUT AGM
Sunday 7th July 3pm
Branches Café, Botley Shopping Centre
Your chance to tell us how we’re doing and what
Get set to blast-off in our FREE Space Chase
reading challenge at Botley Library this
summer!
Join us between 13th July and 14th September
for an intergalactic reading adventure into space!
Children across Oxfordshire can take
part in the Space Chase Summer
Reading Challenge 2019. Join our super
space family The Rockets for a special
mission to track down books nabbed by
mischievous aliens!
Read at least six library books of your
choice over the summer holidays and as
you read, collect stickers (some are
smelly!) to help the Rockets track down the aliens and find
the missing books. Complete the challenge and get a Space
Chase bookmark and game, wristband, medal, and
certificate. Under 3s have their own special card and
stickers.
Out of this world…
There’ll be lots of brilliant new books and
activities at the library throughout the
summer holidays and there’s a website to
add to the fun too, as we celebrate 50
years since the Moon Landing and 20 years
of the Summer Reading Challenge. Visit
www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/spacechase to find
out more.
Illustrations © Adam Stower for The Reading Agency
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Police update
This month, PCSOs Moquet and Wright made two home security visits in
Boars Hill and Wootton, one to a householder and one to survey the
outbuildings of a business after they had been broken into on two separate
occasions. If you would like a security survey with advice please get in
touch.
We have received reports that a homeless man has been living in the
disabled toilet at West Way, Botley. He has been locking the toilet from the
inside so nobody can use it, and was in there from about 6am though to
9pm. We are working with homeless support to get him better support and
somewhere to live.
Third Acre Rise has now become a Smartwater Street. Smartwater is a
property marking kit which puts a unique ‘DNA’ on your property. If 80% of
residents use and register Smartwater, a sign can be displayed in the street
as well as stickers in house windows. This is a proven deterrent and
increases your chance of getting your property back if it is ever stolen and
recovered. Please contact us if you would like any further information. You
can download our security advice leaflet from www.thamesvalley.police.uk/
police-forces/thames-valleypolice/areas/ advice/home-security-guide/
The next Have your say meeting will be on Saturday 6th July, 2–3pm
at Dean Court Community Centre, Botley with PCSO Adi Wright.
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Life is a song – sing it!
We all have mental health, sometimes it’s good, sometimes it’s bad,
sometimes indifferent. Mine is the curate’s egg type!
I joined Cumnor Choral Society, not so much as a way to make friends,
although that has been a bonus, but because as a counsellor I know
that singing is so good for our mental as well as our physical health.
Singing has now become such an important activity for me! I have
always loved it, but I put off joining a choir for various reasons my
sight reading is not brilliant, I used to be a soprano, would I cope
singing the alto part? What if… what if… what if…!
I needn’t have worried. No audition necessary, very friendly fellow
members, most of the music we sing can be found on a website that
plays your part so you can practise at home.
If you enjoy singing and fancy being a part of something that is not only
good for you but also gives so much pleasure to our audiences, why not
give us a try? We always welcome new singers. We rehearse on Friday
evenings from 7.45–9.45 from September to December and from
January to March, with concerts at Christmas and Easter.
This Autumn we are joining up with Great Milton and Wheatley choirs to
perform Bach’s Christmas Oratorio.
For more information contact me at cockman.caroline@gmail.com or
check out our website Cumnorchoralsociety.wordpress.com
Caroline Cockman
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
MBE for deserving Head
Congratulations to Katherine Ryan, head teacher
at Matthew Arnold School since 2006, for her gong
in the recent Honours List. The whole school must
be proud to have such a stellar head. Her
impressive record in helping teachers be better
teachers through partnerships with other
educational institutions has resonated across the
county and beyond. From her early career she
believed that enabling teachers and school leaders
to develop professionally throughout their careers
is the best way to support high-quality learning in every classroom, and
that children must be at the centre of our thinking, and this shows in a
happy and thriving school.
22
LOCAL PLANNING APPLICATIONS
P19/V1054/HH
30A Hutchcomb Rd. Demolish existing
rear garage. Proposed ground floor rear
extension and loft conversion.
13 May
TDD: 8 July
P19/V1170/HH 55 Raleigh Park Rd. New car port with
storage.
20 May
TDD: 15 July
P19/V1184/FUL 11A West Way. Change of use ground
floor unit from print shop to offices with
meeting/conference room. Replace
external signage, windows, and doors.
23 May
Target
Decision
Date:
18 July
P19/V1259/FUL Sweetmans Cottage Yarnells Hill.
Demolish existing and build new
dwelling, separate double garage and
associated landscaping.
23 May
TDD: 18 July
P19/V1212/HH 13A Chestnut Rd. Loft conversion of 1st
floor flat. Partial hip-to-gable side roof
extension, flat roofed rear dormer & 3
roof windows in front roof slope.
28 May
TDD: 23 July
P19/V1274/PDH 19 Chestnut Rd. Kitchen / dining area
extension. Depth - 4.1m Height - 3.3m.
30 May
TDD: 11 July
P19/V1330/HH 37 St Pauls Crescent. Single storey rear
& side extension and convert garage to
study/store/shower room.
31 May
TDD: 26 July
P19/V1405/FUL Botley Centre West Way. Planning
consent for 16 months for installation of
marketing suite at Botley Local Centre.
6 June
TDD: 1
August
P19/V1398/HH 25 Sweetmans Rd. Convert garage to
habitable space.
12 June
TDD: 7
August
P19/V1403/HH Gateways Harcourt Hill. Demolish
garage, utility room, & single storey
extensions. Extend property to side, rear
& front, plus loft conversion.
13 June
TDD: 8
August
23
Universal Credit being used in new scam
Universal Credit has well and truly arrived but now scammers are
using the benefit as a pivotal part of a new sting to target vulnerable
people.
Citizens Advice says scammers are offering loans to their victims and
then using their personal banking details to apply for Universal Credit in
their names.
The scam is usually carried out by telephone, so do not accept a loan if
you have been contacted by cold calling. If you are contacted in this
way, just hang up. In general, personal details should not be divulged
on the telephone or in an email.
The Universal Credit scam is also being carried out in public places. As
victims leave job centres and pubs, they are approached by smartly
dressed people claiming to be from the Department of Work and
Pensions, who then offer "government loans". Instead, the victim is
signed up for Universal Credit. The scammers then apply for an
advance payment of the benefit. This payment goes to the victim's bank
account but the scammers then
charge a huge fee, around 50%,
for this unnecessary "service".
Citizens Advice has its own free
service to help those applying for
Universal Credit for the first time.
"Help to Claim" is available over
the telephone, face to face, and
online through “webchat” and
Internet content. The national
Freephone number for Help to
Claim is 0800 144 8444.
Telephone and webchat services
are available from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
(Monday–Friday)
For any other issues you might
need help with, telephone our
Adviceline on 03 444 111 444 or
come and see us in person at our
office in St Aldates. More on
www.citizensadvice.org.uk/local/ox fordshire-south-vale
24
Randoms
Pop-up Café hosted by FOBS
The Pavilion Pop-up Cafés, have started again, up at the Pavilion.
These take place from 3– 5pm every Sunday afternoon, and are run by
volunteers all through the summer until 1st September. On Sunday 21st
July (3–5pm), the hosts will be the Friends of Botley School (FOBS),
with all proceeds going to support our school. Please join us for a cuppa
and some delicious home-made cake. The cafés are a wonderful
opportunity to get to know more members of our community, and on
21st July, you’ll also be supporting Botley School. Hope to see you
there! Abigail Sarfatti, Friends of Botley School.
The Botley Connection
Former Botley lad, John McAvoy, who used to live in Westminster Way,
worked as a film editor on a television programme about the moon
landing that will be shown on the BBC in July to mark the 50th
Anniversary. Do look for his name on the credits. Stargazing:
Moonlanding Special, will be presented by Professor Brian Cox and
Dara O’Briain.
Martin Harris
Friends of Raleigh Park
Friends of Raleigh Park have asked us to point out that – contrary to the
impression given in last month’s Sprout their AGM will in fact be on
Thursday 12 September in the Louie Memorial Pavilion (speaker tbc).
The June Friends’ meeting addressed by Linda Losito on the subject of
Beetles, Birds and Dung attracted considerable interest, and was very
well attended.
West Oxford Fun Day, 13th July
The theme this year is ‘the river’– the perfect opportunity to include a
little get-together at Tumbling Bay to hear something about our Victorian
Bathing Place’s history and future. It would be great to have some
anecdotes from older folk who remember going there as children,
perhaps with their school swimming class on the ferry; it would also be
great to have someone from the Council talking about the fish pass
which is being constructed there. Interested? Then please contact me
on amtalbot393@btinternet.com Tony Talbot
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Botley W.I.
At our next meeting on 2 July the speaker will be Helen Plum, talking
about ”Coloured Gemstones.” The Walking group will meet at 10am on
Thursday 11th July at the W.I hall to walk on Boars Hill. The Book
Group will meet on 24 July. We are celebrating our first hundred years
with a range of additional activities including a centenary dinner at
Denman in August. Alison Jenner
Botley Bridges Summer Programme
Over the summer, starting 29th July, Botley Bridges will be playing away
in local parks. Sessions (1.30–3.30 pm) will be on themes like Pirates,
Minibeasts, Beside the Seaside, etc, and will be suitable for older
children up to 9 or 10 as well. Dates for your diaries: Mon 29th July,
Oatlands Park; Wed 7th August, Cumnor Hurst; Mon 12 August, Dean
Court Rec; Wed 21 August, Cumnor Park; Wed 28th August, Louie
Memorial Rec (Arnolds Way); Mon 2 September, Botley Park (West
Oxford Community Centre). More on their Facebook page.
Have you been to Waitrose lately?
I visited the Botley Road store last week and found it abuzz with activity.
I was amazed to find they had removed all of their packaging from the
fruit and vegetable aisles, everything piled neatly and loose so that you
could pick you own! Staff were busy stocking and tidying displays and
new plastic-packaging free initiatives, and assisting curious customers
as they walked slowly around taking in these long overdue changes. I
even caught sight of Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall in what used to be the
small bakery café now sporting a chef displaying his culinary skills in
fresh fruit and veg prep. It was wonderful to see and I felt, at last, that
real change was happening. It made me feel optimistic and to think
about how I can reduce my own plastics and waste in general. Well
done Waitrose! Judith Chelbi
SPROUT AGM, Sunday 7th July
This year’s AGM will take place on Sunday 7th July at 3pm at Branches
Café above the Library, entrance opposite the Co-op. This is our
chance to thank all the volunteers who make it happen every month,
and to share a few ideas on how we would like it to look, and what it
should cover. All our volunteers are welcome, and any one else who
takes an interest in our local newsletter.
26
Organizations: If your organization is not listed here, please send details
to editor@thesprout.org.uk or telephone 724452 for inclusion.
1st Botley Brownies
Girls aged 7–10
Dean Court Community Centre Thur 6–7.30 Fiona Wheeler,
firstbotleybrownies@gmail.com
2nd Botley Brownies
Girls aged 7–10
Rosary Room, Yarnells Hill. Tues 6:15-7:45 Alison
Griffin 2ndbotleybrownies@outlook.com
4th Oxford Scout Group
Beavers, Cub Scouts, Scouts
Scout Hall, Arnolds Way; mail@thefourth.org.uk
Website: http://www.thefourth.org.uk/
15th Oxford Scout Group
Boys and girls welcome
Meet Fridays, Botley Baptist Hall Contact: Julie Tatham
01865 863074 or Amy Cusden 07887 654386
Baby & Toddler Group Tues/Thurs 9.15–11, SS Peter & Paul Church Hall
Badminton Club
Thurs 7-8pm at Matthew Arnold Sports Hall. Garry Clark
0777 3559 314 garryclark13@gmail.com
Books on Wheels R.V.S. Free Library Service for housebound Ox. 248142
Botley Boys & Girls F.C.
Football teams from ages 8-16
Jason Barley Ox. 242926 jbarley1@sky.com or Brendan
Byrne 792531 brendan.byrne999@gmail.com
Botley Health Walks
Wednesday 9.30 a.m Contact: Briony 246497
Botley Library
01865 248142. Open till 7 on Friday and 1pm on Sat,
otherwise 9.30 to 5.30 (closed Wednesdays).
Botley Singers
Thur 7.30, St Andrew’s Church, Dean Court. Angela Astley-
Penny Ox.242189 angastpen@aol.com
Branches Café, Westway
Place, Open to All 8am-3pm,
Open for young people 3-5 daily, Th. eves 7–9 Tel:01865
251115 www.branchesyouth.uk Facebook Branches
Youth Cafe, Instagram @_branches_youth
Community Fridge
For all. Put food in, take food out. Ss P&P church, Mon–Sat
9–5, Sun 11–5. Riki Therivel 07759 135811
Cumnor Choral Society
Rehearsals Friday 7.45 to 9.45 pm John May 07795
054142 or www.cumnorchoralsociety.wordpress.com
Cumnor Chess Club
Thurs 7–9pm Cumnor Old School. Steven Bennett 862788
www.cumnorchessclub.co.uk
Cumnor & District Historical
Society
Last Monday of the month 7.30-9.00 Cumnor Old School.
01865 724808
Cumnor Gardening Club
Details on website at http://cumnorgardens.org.uk/ or
phone Chris Impey, 01865 721026
Harmony InSpires, Ladies'
Acappella Singing Group
Wed 7.30 at Appleton village hall. C. Casson 01235 831352
or harmonyinspires@hotmail.co.uk
Hill End Volunteer Team
Contact: David Millin on david.millin@hill-end.org, call
01865-863510 or visit www.hillend-oec.co.uk
Let’s Sing! – singing group Weds 2pm, WOCC, details Emily 07969 522368
or email emformusic@outlook.com
Morris Dancing – Cry Havoc
Barbara Brett 249599 or bag@cryhavoc.org.uk
Mum and Baby Yoga for
babies from 6 wks to crawling
Mondays 10.30 at Dean Court CC, contact Jacqueline
Rice via https://yogawithjacqueline.co.uk
27
North Hinksey Preschool and
Childcare Clubs
Mon–Fri 7.45am –6.00 pm. 01865 794287 or email
nhps.manager1@gmail.com
N Hinksey Art Group Weds 10 – 12.00 W.I. Hall Tel: Christina 07931 707997
N Hinksey Bellringers Contact: Ray Rook 01865 241451
N Hinksey Conservation
Volunteers
Meets at weekends. Contact Voirrey Carr 07798743121
voirreyc@aol.com
N Hinksey, Friends of Annual Cricket Match & Walk. Douglas Bond 791213.
N Hinksey Parish Council Colin Ryde, tel 861992, clerk@northhinksey-pc.gov.uk
N Hinksey Youth Club
Wednesdays at Arnold's Way pavilion, call Daz on 07791
212866 or see Facebook
Over Sixties Lunch Club
Every other Thursday. Seacourt Hall. Viv Smith 01865
241539 or Jackie Warner 01865 721386
Oxford Flood Alliance R Thurston 01865 723663 or 07973 292035
Oxfd Flower Arranging Club 4th Thursday Cumnor. Dympna Walker: 01865 865259
Oxford Harmony Men's
Acappella singing group
Meets Wednesdays 7.45 pm at Seacourt Hall Contact
pro@oxfordharmony.co.uk
Oxford Otters
Swimming for people with disabilities. Sundays, twice
monthly. Contact: Alan Cusden 723420
Oxford Rugby Club
Boys and girls from 5, kevin.honner@ntlworld.com
Seniors, training etc jbrodley@chandlings.org.uk.
Oxford Sports Lawn Tennis
Club, N Hinksey
Family club: Melanie Riste 848658 or
melanie_riste@hotmail.com
Raleigh Park, Friends of raleighpark@raleighpark.org.uk
Saturdads
Botley Bridges
Fun activities and trips for Dads and under 5’s
10 am–noon 1st Sat of month. Tel: 243955
Seacourt Hall management
committee
Contact: Michael Cockman 07766 317691
michael.cockman@gmail.com.
Shotokan Karate club 6+ WOCC twice weekly Martyn King 07836 646450
Weight Watchers
Thursdays 6pm at SS Peter & Paul Church Hall Banso
tel: 07779 253899 bansob@aol.com
West Oxford Bowls Club Contact details on www.westoxfordbowlsclub.co.uk
West Oxford Taekwon Do
Club
Mon, Thurs 6.30-8pm, MA gym, contact Chris Hall 01865
570291 www.wotkd.co.uk
West Oxford U3A (Uni of the 3rd Age) http://westoxfordu3a.org.uk/
West Way Day Centre
Mon & Fri 10–3pm, Field House, 07740 611971.
oxfordshirehub@royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk
Women’s Institute (Botley)
Liz Manson, 244175 email
liz.manson@virginmedia.com
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